Volume I of A Ray of the Qur’an includes a study and explanation of Surah Al-Fatihah and verses 1-143 of Surah Al-Baqara of the Qur’an through commentaries of Sayyed Mahmoud Taleghani.
The study and explanation of Surah Al-Fatihah and verses 1-143 of Surah Al-Baqara make up Volume I of A Ray of the Qur’an. Sayyed Mahmoud Taleghani follows the traditional ordinal presentation of these two chapters of the Qur’an. Appropriately, he begins his commentary with the first Surah: "The Opening.” He considers this Surah to be an invitation to people to recognize their creator and sustainer by knowing Allah’s attribute of mercy and as the giver of guidance to the straight path. Likewise, Taleghani invites people through another name given to this Surah, Al Hamd/The Praise, to praise their Lord exclusively.
Taleghani’s approach to the Qur’an is holistic. This is evident in his reading of the initial five verses of Surah Al-Baqara as containing the foundational, pivotal notions that inform the grand ideas and the details of not only the rest of the Surah, but indeed the entire Qur’an. The word taqwa, used in Surah Al-Baqara and throughout the Qur’an, is sometimes translated as piety or fear of God but the full breadth of the term, as Taleghani shows, is better expressed in the phrase "to safeguard oneself with full awareness of divine laws." Those who show taqwa are made aware of the prophetic mission, and are assured of the hereafter if they accept and follow it in their thoughts and deeds. Thus, the reader is introduced in Surah Al-Baqara to Taleghani’s vision of the Qur’an, whereby, a ray from this book is said to touch the minds and hearts of those with taqwa and to launch them on their search for the truth. This is one way Taleghani distinguishes the Holy Qur’an from other books.
Arvustused
English-language scholarship in Qurn studies owes a debt of gratitude to the translator and the publisher for making available one of the most important contemporary commentaries of the Qurn. Four decades after the passing of the author Al-Sayyid Mahmoud Taleghani (RA), the translation makes this authentic voice of human liberation accessible to a wide audience. It is not possible to overstate the importance of this translation of the invaluable, awe-inspiring and cogent contribution to understanding the causes of and solutions to the problems of human societies. The commentary represents a distinctive and eloquent voice of consciousness that was enlightened by the Qurn, which he taught must be understood by every generation in light of its own realities. Based on his commentary alone, if not his personal struggles, a persuasive case can be made that Taleghani could well be considered among the first Muslim liberation theologists of the twentieth century.Abbas Mirakhor, Retired Professor of Economics and Finance Whatever is written about the yt, and from the point of view of guidance by the Holy Qurn,should not be counted as the final intent of the Holy Quran. Thus, I found the title and name A Ray of the Qurn suitable for it. Sayyed Mahmoud Taleghani Taleghani chose his addressees among university students from various areas of studies of science instead of seminary students. Speaking with the language of the timethe language of the new sciences and new ways of learninghe tried to bring the Qurn to the scene of action and living, making it the guide to both the individual and societal lives of people. Abdolali Bazargan And We have certainly presented for the people in this Qurn from every [ kind of] example that they might remember. The Qurn, Az-Zumar/39:27 This is a very different approach to writing commentary on the Qurn from those written by classical or contemporary traditional scholars in the Shia world. Its uniqueness comes from the fact that it was written mostly during prison time by one of the most eminent religious scholars of the twentieth century Iran who was also a relentless political activist, an advocate for justice and a champion of political freedom.
The years he spent in prison brought him in close contact with political activists of diverse orientation all united in their opposition to the Pahlavi regime. As a result, A Ray of the Qurn is also a window to the social and political history of Iran in the twentieth century.
This is a very original and important book, and a welcome addition to the contemporary scholarship in the field of Islamic Studies in general and Qurnic Studies in particular. The translators labor of love must be acknowledged and congratulated for providing the readers of English language with this special work. Mohammad H. Faghfoory, Professor and Director, Graduate Program in Islamic Studies, George Washington University
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Abbas Mirakhor
Transliteration of Arabic Letters
Translators Introduction
Editors Introduction
Authors Biography by Abdolali Bazargan
Introduction
Srah al-Ftiah (Chapter 1: The Opening), yt 1-7
Srah al-Baqarah (Chapter 2: The Cow), yt 1-143
Appendix A (Selection from Sermon 91, Nahjul Balaagha)
Appendix B (Selection from Sermon 1, Nahjul Balaagha)
Authors Notes
Translators Notes
Bibliography
Ali Asghar Agah, MA and ABD, George Washington University, is a retired educator, World Bank Staff member, diplomat, and International Monetary Fund Advisor. As a community organizer he adopted A Ray of the Qur'an for Qur'an study and his translation work includes The Evolution of the Quran.
Mariam Agah, MA and ABD, taught various levels, subjects, and types of students in Catholic, public, and Muslim schools. She edited many translations including of the Evolution of the Qur'an. She writes poetry, conducts workshops for educators, lectures on family, women, Muslim personalities and interfaith relations.
